Explore how Noman and Sajid delivered a stunning one-session masterclass, dismantling the West Indies on Day 2. A pivotal moment in the match.
Introduction
Pakistan took the honours on a dramatic day of cricket, with spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan running amok to bowl West Indies out for 137. The spin duo claimed nine wickets between them, leaving the visitors reeling in a session dominated by sharp turn and guile. In response, Pakistan extended their lead to 202 runs, powered by Shan Masood’s commanding half-century. On a day when 19 wickets fell, both teams faced the challenging conditions of a spin-friendly surface.
See also: Shakeel and Rizwan Rescue Pakistan After Seales’ Early Strikes in Multan Test Day 1
First Innings: Pakistan’s Collapse and Shakeel-Rizwan Stand
Pakistan began the day at 217/6 and looked pretty well placed to build a big total. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan continued their overnight partnership with authority, adding 141 runs for the sixth wicket. Shakeel was unfortunate to fall just 16 runs short of a century, edging Kevin Sinclair to the slips.
See also: Pakistan Outspins West Indies in Thriller to Take 1-0 Lead
This triggered an alarming collapse of four wickets, which fell to just 13 runs. Then, Rizwan, in his fluent knock of 71 runs, was himself involved in the disastrous mix-up with Noman Ali and soon got dismissed from the crease after a unsuccessful reverse sweep shot. See also: Noman Ali’s Hat-Trick Headlines Thrilling First Day: 2nd Test, Multan
Quick cameo from Sajid Khan and Khurram Shahzad added 25 runs to the total for Pakistan in reaching the figure of 230 before Warrican wrapped up the innings. But through the collapse, West Indies’ discipline stood out, especially with Sinclair and Warrican making good use of the turning track.
West Indies’ Batting Collapses: A Spin-Bowling Masterclass
Replies West Indies got bowled out on for 137, all within just one session, as Sajid Khan literally opened the gates by getting both Mikyle Louis and Keacy Carty very easily. A near spectacular slip catch by Mohammad Hurraira from Sajid’s bowling beautifully summed up how Pakistan fielded.
Noman and Sajid Rattle:
At the end of his third over, Sajid had claimed four wickets, and West Indies was in tatters at 15/4. Noman Ali then joined the party, exploiting the rough patches to extract turn and drift. His dismissal of Justin Greaves marked the beginning of a five-wicket haul that featured batters dragging deliveries onto their stumps and misjudging turn.
Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican put up some fight with a belligerent 25-run stand. Warrican then put on a last-wicket stand of 46 runs with Jayden Seales, which made Pakistan bring in leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed. Abrar ended the flourish by getting Seales out with a well-disguised googly.
Even though West Indies had a lower-order fightback, they were still 93 runs behind as Noman took 5/37 and Sajid 4/49.
Shan Masood Leads Pakistan’s Second-Innings Charge
Pakistan started their second innings with a purpose as the openers Shan Masood and Mohammad Hurraira placed pressure on West Indies’ bowlers. Jayden Seales continued to bowl with pace and accuracy, but the pitch offered no assistance to the seamers.
Masood was more than handy in dealing with the spin. With his feet, he took Warrican and Sinclair for miles. Aggressive and yet under control, he punished the loose deliveries and rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Hurraira was Warrican’s first victim when he misjudged a straight delivery that went on with the arm. Just about an hour later, Babar Azam was LBW to the same delivery but not before Pakistan’s lead had crossed 150. Masood was run out for 56 when he made a mix-up with Kamran Ghulam as Pakistan lost three wickets still having a lead of 202.
West Indies’ Missed Opportunities
The visitors were left to rue missed chances, including an umpiring error against Kamran Ghulam, whose sweep shot struck his arm before being ruled out LBW. HawkEye later revealed the ball would have cleared the stumps, but the decision stood.
The score was built, though, as Warrican continued to build the pressure through his accuracy, only for that to be undone at the other end by some untidy bowling. Byes and misfields meant Pakistan were allowed to extend their advantage, leaving the visitors with even more to do on the third day.
Spin-Friendly Surface Shapes the Contest
It was a day for the spinners, as Noman and Sajid made their mark in Pakistani cricket. The pitch presented a nice challenge with fast turn and variable bounce to test the technique and even the patience of the batters. For West Indies, Warrican and Sinclair also had their successes, but their efforts were marred with poor fielding and inconsistent bowling.
Top Performers
Noman Ali (5/37): Noman’s drift, turn, and consistency troubled the West Indies batters throughout their innings.
Sajid Khan (4/49): Sajid’s early breakthroughs set the tone for Pakistan’s dominance.
Shan Masood (56): Masood’s attacking half-century helped Pakistan extend their lead in challenging conditions.
Jomel Warrican (2/43 & 18):* Warrican’s contributions with both bat and ball were highlights in an otherwise disappointing day for West Indies.
What’s Next?
Pakistan have the match in their pocket going into Day 3, leading by 202 runs with seven wickets in hand. The surface will only deteriorate further, making West Indies’ task of chasing a likely fourth-innings target that much more daunting.
For West Indies, early wickets on the third morning will prove crucial in remaining in the contest. Still, with Pakistan’s spinners doing well, visitors face a challenge to save the game.